Stunzner Family Collection
Fritz Stünzner was taken into custody on 28 October 1915 and sent for internment as a prisoner of war (“ Number 363 ”) on Somes Island , Wellington . Because of poor health , in December he was transferred to Motuihe Island , in Auckland . Archives NZ files indicate that Mr Stünzner was arrested in Samoa because he was viewed as an assertive and outspoken character by the NZ Administration . Apia resident Frieda Zieschank also recorded that Stünzner refused to do building projects for the administration . In early 1917 Fritz was joined by his wife , Mary and his five Samoa-based children ( two daughters , Hetty and Ilse , were in Germany being educated ). The special dispensation to have family present on Motuihe was given because Mr Stünzner was suffering from a persistent and severe intestinal illness .
This photo shows the Stünzners in front of the small three-room cabin that Fritz was allowed to build to house his family . The children are ( left-toright ): Kurt , Matilde , Trude , Albrecht ‘ Albi ’ and Fritz Jnr .
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